Chapter 3: Debate
"Meowww!"
This was the loudest one today. Zachary has been acting less human and more cute and cat-like. Every time Dr Clark annoyed him, he'd meow so loudly, it'd hurt. He'd meow when he was hungry, when he was scared, when he was sad. It was like a switch had flipped, and he couldn't control it anymore. He'd been trying to hold on to his humanity, but it was slipping through his fingers like sand.
Arthur arrived the next morning, bright and early, as promised. He held a small bag in his hand, a mysterious smile playing on his lips. Zachary's ears perked up at the sound of the door opening, and he looked up expectantly. "Morning, Zach," Arthur said, his voice warm and cheerful.
Zachary rolled till he was upside down, "Meow?" he asked, his tail swishing lazily behind him. Arthur chuckled, "I brought you something, Zach." He held up the bag, shaking it slightly. Zachary's ears perked up, and he flipped upright, his eyes wide with curiosity. "For me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Arthur nodded, "Yes, for you. Now, come on, let's sit at the table, and I'll show you what I brought." Zachary padded over to the table, his tail brushing against Arthur's leg as he passed.
Arthur smiled, setting the bag down and beginning to unpack its contents. Zachary watched with growing excitement as Arthur pulled out a small, potted plant, a bag of soil, and a tiny watering can.
"What's all this, Doc?" Zachary asked, his eyes wide with curiosity.
"This, Zach, is your very own herb garden," Arthur explained, placing the potted plant in front of Zachary. "I thought it might help you feel more connected to the outside world, to nature. I even brought some... I don't think I should say... Catnip."
"MEOW!" Zachary pounced onto the bag, pupils dilating as he inhaled the catnip, "Meeeooww!" he purred, rolling around with the bag, "Doc, thiiisss... iiiiisss... " he couldn't finish his sentence, he was too busy purring and meowing, rubbing his cheeks against the bag, "Doc, you're the best!" he exclaimed, finally calming down and looking at Arthur with adoration.
Arthur chuckled, "I'm glad you like it, Zach. I thought it might help you... unwind a bit." Though he felt like he had just handed the hybrid drugs.
He knew catnip was harmless, but the way Zachary reacted made him question if he had just made a mistake. He was still new to this, after all.
Zachary, on the other hand, was in heaven. He nuzzled the bag of catnip, his purrs filling the room like a soft, steady hum. Arthur watched him, a mix of amusement and concern on his face. "Zach, maybe you should take it easy on that," he suggested, but Zachary just looked up at him, his eyes half-lidded and dreamy.
"Mew...
but Doc, it's soooo good," Zachary purred, his tail swishing lazily behind him. He took another deep sniff of the catnip, his eyes rolling back in his head.
Arthur couldn't help but laugh at the sight. "Alright, alright, just don't overdo it. We don't want you getting too... enthusiastic."
Zachary looked up at Arthur, his eyes wide and innocent. "Too enthusiastic? What do you mean, Doc?"
Arthur hesitated, not wanting to burst Zachary's bubble, but also not wanting to encourage any... unusual behavior.
"Well, Zach, catnip can have some... interesting effects on cats. And since you're part cat now, I thought it might have a similar effect on you."
Zachary tilted his head, his ears twitching in curiosity. "What kind of effects, Doc?"
Arthur shifted uncomfortably in his seat, trying to find the right words. "It can make you... more playful, more affectionate. Some cats even hallucinate a bit."
Zachary's eyes widened, and he looked down at the bag of catnip, a mixture of excitement and apprehension on his face. "Hallucinate? Oooooh, that sounds niiicceeeee..." Zachary drawled, his voice taking on a dreamy quality.
Arthur raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Niiiice?" he repeated, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Zachary looked up at him, his eyes glazed over. "Yeah, Doc. Niiiice. It's like... it's like I can see colors I've never seen before. And everything is so... so vibrant." He waved his hand in front of him, as if trying to grasp the elusive colors he was seeing.
Arthur chuckled, "Well, that's one way to put it. Just remember, Zach, it's all in your head. None of those colors are real."
Zachary nodded, his eyes still wide with wonder. "I know, Doc. But it's still so cool." He took another sniff of the catnip, his pupils dilating even further.
Arthur watched him, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Zach, I think that's enough for now. You don't want to overdo it."
Zachary looked up at him, his eyes pleading. "Just a little more, Doc? Please?" Arthur hesitated, then sighed.
"Alright, but just a little more. And then it's time for breakfast, okay?" Zachary grinned, his tail flicking eagerly behind him.
"Okay, Doc!" He took another tentative sniff of the catnip, his eyes fluttering closed as he inhaled the fragrant herb. It was moments like these that made all the stress and worry worth it. Seeing Zachary happy, seeing him smile, it was a reminder of why he was doing this.
Zachary rolled around the floor, meowing and jumping like a cat, "Meeooww..." Zachary giggled, his tail flicking happily behind him. "Alright, alright, that's enough catnip for now. Let's get you some breakfast, hmm?" Zachary looked up at him, his eyes still glassy but focused. "Breakfast? With you, Doc?" Arthur nodded, "Yes, with me.
I thought we could have something together, for a change." Zachary's ears perked up at that, and he sat up straight, his tail swishing eagerly behind him. "Really, Doc? You mean it?" Arthur smiled, "Of course, Zach. I wouldn't joke about something like that." Zachary beamed at him, his eyes shining with happiness. "Okay, Doc! Let's do it!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. Arthur chuckled, "Alright, just give me a moment to prepare something for us." He turned to the counter, beginning to gather ingredients for their meal.
Zachary watched him, his tail flicking back and forth in anticipation. "What are we having, Doc?" he asked, his voice eager. Arthur glanced over his shoulder, a grin on his face. "How do you feel about pancakes, Zach? I thought we could make them together." Zachary's eyes widened, and he let out a soft mew of excitement. "Pancakes? Really? I've never made them before!" Arthur nodded, "Well, today's your lucky day."
While they made pancakes, Zachary sniffed the air.
He paused, before turning to the corner of the room, hissing.
"Zachy boy? What's wrong?" Arthur asked, stepping behind Zachary.
"Mreeowww...." Zachary pointed at a rat in the corner, "Rat...."
It was like Zachary's primal insists kicked in.
His ears flattened, and his tail puffed up as he stared down the rat. Arthur followed Zachary's gaze, spotting the small, grey creature scurrying across the floor. He grabbed a nearby broom, ready to shoo it away. "Zach, don't worry, I'll get rid of it," Arthur said, trying to keep his voice calm. But Zachary was already in motion. He leaped off the chair, landing gracefully on all fours, and charged towards the rat. Arthur watched in surprise as Zachary's instincts took over.
"MRREOW!" Zachary growled, his eyes narrowed and focused on the rat. Arthur, realizing that Zachary had every intention of catching the rodent, quickly stepped in. "Zach, no! Don't chase it." Zachary paused, looking back at Arthur with confusion. "But Doc, it's a rat!" he hissed, his tail twitching in annoyance. Arthur sighed, putting the broom down and crouching down to Zachary's level. But we don't want to hurt it, do we?" Zachary tilted his head, considering Arthur's words.
"But... it's a rat, Doc. They're not supposed to be here, are they?" he asked, his voice softening a bit. Arthur nodded, "That's true, Zach. But that doesn't mean we have to hurt it. We can catch it and release it outside, where it belongs." Zachary's ears perked up at that, and he looked back at the rat, now huddled in the corner, its eyes wide with fear. "You mean... like a game, Doc? A cat and mouse game?" Arthur chuckled, "Something like that, yes.
But remember, we're not actually hunting it. We're just helping it find its way back home." Zachary considered this for a moment, then nodded solemnly. "Okay, Doc. I understand." Arthur smiled, relieved. "Good. Now, let's figure out how to catch it without scaring it too much." They spent the next few minutes brainstorming strategies, with Arthur trying to keep the situation light and fun. They decided to use a large, sturdy box and a piece of cardboard as a makeshift trap. Zachary watched intently as Arthur set up the trap, his tail twitching with anticipation.
"Okay, Doc, what do I do?" Arthur glanced up at him, a reassuring smile on his face. "Alright, Zach, here's the plan. You're going to sneak up on the rat, nice and slow, while I hold the box in place. Once you're close enough, I'll slide the cardboard under it, trapping it inside. Then, we'll take it outside and let it go." Zachary nodded, his eyes focused on the rat as he began to creep towards it on all fours.